Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Dallas Metroplex, USA
Is It Time to Panic? schizophrenics life expectancy Posted: 11-19-07 06:20am
I've always been convinced that I was
destined to die young. Now my fear seems
to be coming true. To put it bluntly,
studies are now out that suggest a 25%
decrease in life expectancy for
schizophrenics. Right now, I'm 45 years
old. How much longer can I expect to
live?
The primary reason given for the decrease
in life expectancy is an increased risk
for cardiovascular disease. As it stands:
1) my weight is normal
2) my cholesterol is 210 untreated
(currently treated and 160)
3) my untreated blood pressure is 150/100
(currently treated and 125/80)
4) my fasting blood glucose is 100
(untreated)
5) I am sedentary
These are, of course, things I need to
discuss with a doctor. I guess I'm just
venting my fears. Are any of yens out
there scared like I am?
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Philo
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 331 Location: Montreal
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Posted: 11-19-07 13:29pm
I am mostly scared of the quality of life
I might have to undergo as an older person
rather than the length of it. If I don't
end up homeless at some point I am afraid
I will end up in some difficult situation
without being able to help myself or end
up being abused by a caregiver at a home
for the destitute elderly. I have no kids,
and I am struggling some days as it is.
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woops
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 222
Posted: 11-19-07 19:53pm
I agree with philo, a healthy life is also
short, life expectancy should not be given
the time. But I like philo am afraid of
the way I may go whether my life be long
or short. Long life sucks when you really
think about it, right?
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Dorgus
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: Dallas Metroplex, USA
Posted: 11-21-07 13:25pm
Thanks, guys. One of the things I do when
I'm upset is to out and out google a
phrase that expresses my distress. I
tried "terrified of dying." I found out
that I have a lot of company. People
expressed the same sort of terror I often
feel -- that is most people did. It
really didn't matter whether they were
religious or not, the experience was the
same. I think what it really boils down to
is loss of control. When you die you
experience -- at least for a time --
complete loss of control.
I also fear the same things you mentioned,
philo. About quality of life, though, It's
hard to have much life quality when you're
scared to death half the time.
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Philo
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 331 Location: Montreal
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Thanked:0
Posted: 11-22-07 00:10am
I hear you. I don't think I'm ready for
death because I haven't worked out what I
believe and all that stuff, and I'm in the
middle of life problems now. Plus I am
blamed by the voices for a lot of things,
like not working, so I'm afraid of dying
while I'm in the "wrong". I would like to
be correct when I die. As you might have
gleaned from other posts of mine I would
like to be enlightened, which would give
me a peaceful existence after death (or
something like that......). I would say
try to work out what you believe and then
you won't have to be that scared.
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Birch
Supporter
Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 3963 Location: Bliss,
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Posted: 11-22-07 15:33pm
Do you happen to have a link to the
study?
Is it claiming that pple dx'd w/ schz have
shorter life spans if they do not take
care of themself? B/c people dx'd w/ schz
are less likely to be treated for medical
needs, less likely to have stable housing,
meals, etc.
It is uber important to take care of
yourself.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
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Posted: 11-25-07 16:35pm
I agree with Birch. Schizophrenia itself
will not make you die early. What happens
is many schizophrenics go untreated and
don't care for themselves, don't see
doctors, don't get adequate nutrition,
etc. If you treat your schizophrenia and
are able to provide basic needs for
yourself (regular food, sleep, exercise,
get checked by a doc if you need to) then
you will be fine.
In other words, being diagnosed
schizophrenic will not make you die early.
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Philo
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 331 Location: Montreal
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Posted: 11-25-07 21:29pm
Since I have had my episode I suffer from
heart trouble, neurological trouble,
weight gain, loss of motivation for
exercice. I'm sure all of this will shave
of a few years off my lifespan.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5542 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 89
Thanked:31
Posted: 11-27-07 17:03pm
We all have issues that will shave years
off our potential lifespans. I wouldn't want to
live until I'm 120 and falling apart
anyway.
I wouldn't want to
live until I'm 120 and falling apart
anyway.